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Alternative Premier League table reveals Arsenal’s woodwork woe

Date published: Friday 20th May 2016 12:44

Arsenal would have won the Premier League title if every one of their shots which hit the woodwork this season had gone in, the Premier League has revealed.

The Gunners hit the frame of the goal 21 times in their 38 matches, two more than any other side, and topped a revised table published on the Premier League website based on every shot which hit the woodwork going in, above Manchester City and West Ham on goal difference with 70 points.

Actual champions Leicester were down in fourth on the revised table, with four more defeats and 12 fewer points than they ultimately recorded.

If the woodwork table was used, Manchester City would have secured an automatic place in the Champions League group phase rather than facing a qualifier, and West Ham, who hit the woodwork 19 times, would be joining them in time for their move to the Olympic Stadium.

Instead, the Hammers are reliant on Manchester United winning the FA Cup final on Saturday just to claim a place in the Europa League.

Tottenham would have scored 19 more goals but would have conceded the same number and were eighth on the ‘woodwork’ table and out of the European places.

The table showed no significant changes at the bottom, with Aston Villa, Norwich and Newcastle still occupying the bottom three spots.

Tottenham forward Harry Kane and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku were the unluckiest players – each hitting the woodwork seven times during the season.

Leicester’s Jamie Vardy also struck the frame of the goal on six occasions.